[Prophylaxis for infective endocarditis - an endless story with a colorful past, an uncertain presence and unclear future].

Opinions on the prevention of infective endocarditis (IE) have significantly changed in recent years. A gradual departure from antibiotic prophylaxis can be observed, both in terms of the spectrum of procedures and the profile of individuals in whom it is indicated. The extreme case is the rejection of all antibiotic prophylaxis in all patients and for all procedures in some countries.

[Thoughts about valvular abnormalities yesterday and today].

The article deals with the problems of acquired valvular disorders. It mainly focuses on the new findings regarding ethiopathogenesis, diagnostics, evaluation and treatment, especially catheterization. In advanced countries, post-rheumatic abnormalities have almost disappeared, their current etiology has substantially changed (mitral stenosis).

Anti-calreticulin antibodies and calreticulin in sera of patients diagnosed with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Distinct cellular level of the Ca-binding chaperone calreticulin (CRT) is essential for correct embryonal cardiac development and postnatal function. However, CRT is also a potential autoantigen eliciting formation of antibodies (Ab), whose role is not yet clarified. Immunization with CRT leads to cardiac injury, while overexpression of CRT in cardiomyocytes induces dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in animals.

Variants in miRNA regulating cardiac growth are not a common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: A substantial proportion of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) do not have causative mutations in the genes for heart sarcomere. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between microRNA (miRNA) sequence variants and HCM.

Methods: We performed genetic testing on 56 HCM patients who had previously been found to be negative for mutations in the 4 major genes for sarcomeric proteins.

[Mitral stenosis].

This paper deals with mitral stenosis in the light of current knowledge. Currently, defect is in developed countries very rare (about 10% of defects). Its etiology has changed over the period of time mainly due to decline in rheumatic fever.

Comparison of long-term effect of dual-chamber pacing and alcohol septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Nonpharmacological treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) comprises surgical myectomy (SME), alcohol septal ablation (ASA), and dual-chamber (DDD) pacing. The aim of the study was to compare the long-term effect of DDD pacing and ASA in symptomatic HOCM patients.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated retrospective data from three cardiocenters; there were 24 patients treated with DDD pacing included and 52 treated with ASA followed for 101 ± 49 and 87 ± 23 months, respectively.

Spectrum and clinical manifestations of mutations in genes responsible for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiovascular disease with autosomal dominant inheritance. It is caused by mutations in the genes coding for structural and/or regulatory proteins found in the sarcomere of cardiomyocytes. A group of genes, including the heavy chain of beta-myosin (MYH7), myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3), cardiac troponin I (TNNI3) and cardiac troponin T (TNNT2) are frequently affected by causal mutations.

Low prevalence and variable clinical presentation of troponin I and troponin T gene mutations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in cardiac sarcomeric proteins. Troponin I (TNNI3) and troponin T (TNNT2) are important parts of the sarcomere in heart muscle, and mutations in their genes are responsible for development of HCM. The prevalence of mutations in these two genes is low; hence, the data on clinical outcome are scarce.

Myocardial viability and cardiac dyssynchrony as strong predictors of perioperative mortality in high-risk patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy having coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: Myocardial viability and left ventricular dyssynchrony are important predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that assessment of myocardial viability and left ventricular dyssynchrony will predict perioperative mortality in high-risk patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction having coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: The study consisted of 79 consecutive patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (age 65 +/- 9 years; 81% men; ejection fraction 30% +/- 6%) and logistic European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation > 10% having coronary artery bypass surgery.

The effects of candesartan on left ventricular hypertrophy and function in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a pilot, randomized study.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is caused by mutations in the genes that encode sarcomeric proteins and is primarily characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, impaired cardiac function, reduced exercise tolerance, and a relatively high incidence of sudden cardiac death, especially in the young. The extent of left ventricular hypertrophy is one of the major determinants of disease prognosis. Angiotensin II has trophic effects on the heart and plays an important role in the development of myocardial hypertrophy.

Identification of hibernating myocardium with myocardial contrast echocardiography: comparison with late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance.

Very little is known about the accuracy of intravenous myocardial contrast echocadiography (MCE) in the detection of myocardial hibernation. There are also currently no data on the comparison of MCE to late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (LGE-MR) in this clinical setting. The aim of this pilot study was to predict recovery of regional function in patients with ischemic LV dysfunction undergoing bypass surgery and to compare the accuracy of MCE with LGE-MR in this clinical setting.

Inter-hospital transport for primary angioplasty does not compromise left ventricular function: six-month echocardiographic follow-up of the PRAGUE 1 Study.

The main aim of the present study was to investigate whether long distance interhospital transport for primary angioplasty (delayed mechanical reperfusion) influences the resulting left ventricular function after myocardial infarction as compared with thrombolysis at the nearest hospital (immediate pharmacological reperfusion). Primary coronary angioplasty is more effective than thrombolysis in restoring coronary flow in patients with acute myocardial infarction. It is not known whether a delay in reperfusion due to transport to an angioplasty centre compromises left ventricular function, and whether combination therapy (ie, thrombolysis during transport to an angioplasty centre) would help preserve ejection fraction.

Cardioprotective effects of adenosine transport inhibition during reversible ischaemia in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine plays a major role in protecting ischaemic myocardium and may potentiate ischaemic preconditioning. Nucleosine transport inhibition may enhance these favourable effects. DESIGN: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, to investigate the haemodynamic and cardioprotective effects of nucleoside transport inhibition during ischaemia in patients with coronary artery disease.

Pericardial Effusion as a Consequence of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Pericarditis is a common complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Its incidence during the first few days after acute MI is 24%-43% when echocardiographic criteria are used, whereas the frequency of clinical pericarditis is much less (from 5% for all acute MIs to 21% for anterior Q wave MIs). Clinical, electrocardiographic findings are discussed.